This Situation Is Not Entirely New to Braves

In 1996, the St. Louis Cardinals led the Atlanta Braves, 3-1, in the National League championship series.

Things didn’t look good for Atlanta.

“The situations were a lot alike,” left-hander Denny Neagle said. “We were in St. Louis, which was just going crazy, a lot like San Diego is right now. We knew we were in a tough spot.”

But the Braves rallied to win the final three games--including a 15-0 rout in Game 7 at Atlanta.

“We’re right in the same position, though we didn’t start that series [down 3-0],” Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz said. “We know that no team has come back after being in this situation.

“But we’ve said all along that if any team can reel off four in a row in this situation, and good, or great, starting pitching is the primary reason, then we have that.

“It’s a pretty comforting thought knowing you have those three guys--John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux--scheduled to pitch. You don’t want to be in that position, but if you are, I’ll take my chances with them.”